Intune for Small Businesses: What It Does and When It Is Worth It
You may already be paying for Intune. Here is what it does in plain English, and the point at which a small company starts to benefit.
· Microsoft 365 · 4 min read
Microsoft Intune lets you manage company laptops and phones from one web console. Most of the value comes down to a simple idea: settings are applied to every device automatically, instead of someone setting each one up by hand.
What It Does in Practice
- New laptops set themselves up. With Windows Autopilot, a new machine can be delivered straight to the employee and configure itself at first sign-in.
- Security is enforced. Encryption, updates and screen locks are required rather than left to individual choice.
- Lost devices are less of a crisis. You can wipe a missing laptop or remove just the company data from a personal phone.
- Leavers are simple. Their access ends and their laptop is ready for the next person.
When It Is Worth It
Intune starts to pay off at around ten devices, or sooner if staff work away from the office, you handle sensitive data, or clients ask about your security. Below that, it can still be worthwhile if you already have the licence.
Check Whether You Already Have It
Intune is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium. If you are on Business Basic or Business Standard, compare the cost of upgrading against adding Intune alone, and remember Business Premium also includes extra security features.
Enrolling devices is the easy part. The real work is deciding your policies and rolling them out without locking anyone out, so test on a small group first.